Cal State Channel Islands sought to increase student applications for 2025 by leveraging the power of digital audio advertising. The goal was to craft compelling audio messages that resonated with prospective students, highlighting the university’s unique value propositions, including campus life, financial aid opportunities, and post-graduation success.
Our agency developed a series of three targeted audio ads, each emphasizing a key CSUCI promise:
Campus Life Promise – Showcasing the engaging and supportive academic environment.
Financial Promise – Highlighting scholarship grants and financial aid opportunities.
Future Life Promise – Demonstrating postgraduate success and socioeconomic mobility.
To ensure maximum engagement, we created both English and Spanish versions of the ads and strategically placed them across high-impact digital audio platforms like Spotify and popular podcast channels. Using programmatic targeting, we optimized ad placements to reach the most relevant audience segments.
Client: Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI)
Campaign Mediums: Spotify, Podcast Channels, Programmatic Targeting & Ad Placement
Languages: English & Spanish

Creative Execution:
We developed three distinct ads, each carefully structured within a 15-second time frame for clarity and impact.
Published Audio Ads:
Ad 1: A vibrant, engaging voiceover highlights CSUCI’s dynamic campus life, immersive learning experiences, and a strong sense of community, closing with a call to action to apply for Fall 2025.
Ad 2: With an inspiring tone, this ad focuses on the university’s generous financial support, small class sizes, and real-world learning opportunities, reinforcing CSUCI as a smart investment in higher education.
Ad 3: Featuring a student testimonial, this ad emphasizes personal growth, faculty support, and CSUCI’s nationally recognized commitment to student success, inviting listeners to turn their aspirations into reality.
Innovative Approach:
To refine our messaging, we leveraged AI-generated mockups to test the pacing, tone, and effectiveness of each script as an audio ad. This process allowed us to fine-tune word choice and ensure that every second was used efficiently within the 15-second limit.
For the final production, we engaged professional voiceover artists to bring the scripts to life. Additionally, we incorporated theme music from CSUCI’s video campaigns, seamlessly integrating it into the ads to create a cohesive and emotionally engaging audio experience.
Results & Impact:
Successfully expanded reach among prospective students through strategic digital audio placements.
Established a strong foundation for greater engagement and an increased interest in applying to Cal State Channel Islands.
Strengthened CSUCI’s brand presence across audio platforms, reinforcing its reputation as a transformative educational institution.
Conclusion:
By harnessing the power of targeted audio advertising, CSUCI effectively connected with prospective students, emphasizing the university’s key promises. This innovative and strategic approach not only enhanced brand awareness but also played a crucial role in driving student applications for 2025.
For universities looking to leverage digital audio advertising, CSUCI’s success story serves as a compelling example of how tailored messaging, AI-driven testing, and strategic placements can create a powerful and lasting impact.
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